Forget the talking heads: It's other factors that really count

Don't Buy Into the Hysteria: This Election Isn't About a Debate

James Zogby, HuffPost, Posted: 10/06/2012 11:43 am

Long before this week's presidential debate, the contours of this election had already been set.

Despite the near hysterical and, at times, irritatingly silly reactions from pundits, right and left, the debate itself added very little that will impact the ultimate outcome of the contest.

It was like watching a Yankees/Red Sox series game. Both sides watched and cheered for their team. One side came away a bit more excited, the other a bit deflated, but no one changed the side they are on.

Putting aside the exaggerated reactions of media commentators "Romney triumphed" or "Obama blew it" the debate, itself, was quite boring. Like the impact of former President Bill Clinton's convention address that boosted Democrat's morale, Romney's performance might provide a "shot in the arm" to depressed Republicans, many of whom have been troubled by their candidate and his lackluster campaign. Mood changer, yes, but not a "game changer."

More important than the debate are several factors that have defined the political landscape in 2012.

(More here.)